[Fot] Spit Six NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thu Apr 9 14:56:09 MDT 2020

Afternoon Membership,

I bought a really nice rust free Spit Six about two years ago. Solid rust free Ca body, GT6 Bonnet. Full frame off and repaint. Overdrive and a special Canley Classics upgraded tranny. GT6 full suspension, brakes and a matching hardtop too.   Here is the info I got on the car when I was buying it. Maybe one of the best ones out there ever based on what I know. It needs a good home. I got 3 Spit race cars, a company to run, a 14 year old and this baby never gets run. I'd like to see 12,500.00 out of her. But as most of you know I like to swap stuff, maybe Spit race parts or who knows, plus cash of course, LOL!!

This is all the correspondence I had prior to buying the car, see the attached pics too:

Mark,

Nice to see I am talking with a true Triumph person. My very first car was a Triumph and my very last car is also a Triumph.

#1. GT6 calipers, remanufactured with spacers by Canley. I still have the original Spitfire calipers if you want them.

#2. The GT6 suspension towers were mounted on the Spitfire frame, this was necessary for proper fit of the GT6 engine in the bay. GT6 knuckle with larger diameter axle was also installed.

#3. I was not convinced by Canley's method of mounting the vented caliper on the wheel hub. It was a loose fit with centering made by  the 4 wheel studs. I machined the hub with a journal so the 2 diameters would be aligned. The aluminum spacer was required to give the stock track. Canley uses a thick washer and actually increases the track a little.

#4. Hardtop has new window rubber, I have the window seal ( just need to install it ), headliner is original,  slightly stained, one small L shaped tear perhaps 7 x 7 mm long.

#5. Everything is operational.

#6. I stayed with the stock wheels because they were original to the car. I do have a set of ready to go painted GT6 steel wheels we can talk about.

#7. I agree it looks high. I used the GT6 front springs thinking the additional weight of the 6 cylinder engine would lower the front end too much if I keep with the Spitfire springs. I now think the stock Spitfire springs might work better.

#8. Cooling works like a charm with the 3 row core, everything cooling the way it is supposed to.

#9. I stayed with the Spitfire rear spring, the height looks good here.

#10. I become a bit obsessive about getting things correct. I was a lot more work cutting out the old brackets, refurbishing them, and welding them on the Spitfire. But when I ask myself, if this GT6 convertible had come from the factory, how would they have done it. I had no choice.

#11. The chrome trim plate at the top of the windshield has scratches, this I would replace. I rechromed the small aluminum trim pieces that fit over the door seal , there seems to have had a chemical reaction as they are now pitted. Never got around to installing a radio. Windshield washer pump ( button type in the dash ) does not work. Could not find a replacement. The chap who did the alignment had never seen this set up before, it handles just fine, but should be checked by someone with Triumph experience.

I await your next set of questions,

Regards,

Dan

________________________________

Dan,

WOW I love the info, thanks!

Ok questions:

#1

The front vented discs - Are there the GT6 Calipers or the Spit calipers?

#2

Did you change over the Spit upright and stub axle to the GT6 upright and stub axle? If not did you upgrade to the Canley larger diameter stub axle made for Spits??

#3

Is that an aluminum spacer I see on the front wheel hub to move the wheel out some to clear the caliper??

#4

I see the hardtop was painted like the car probably when you painted the car, did you have to restore the rubber weather-strip on it and the headliner or not??

#5

Dumb question for a car that looks so nice, but does everything work, lights , horn, heater, heater fan, turn signals, hi lo beams, radio, brake lights, wipers, gauges, windows, overdrive, license plate light etc etc etc

#6

Did you stay with the steel wheels for any particular reason, do you have any others??

#7

Seems to sit high in the front, is the picture presenting an illusion or is it a little high?

#8

Does the re cored radiator keep the larger engine cool enough?

#9

Did you use the GT6 rear leaf spring or stay with the Spit one?

#10

How come the rear shocks upper mount is mounted to the body vs the original frame mount?? I haven't seen that before on GT6's or converted Spit frames/chassis.

#11

What does it need, what doesn't work, what is wrong and needs correction??

This is a nice car please do not take all my questions as anything but wanting information, the questions are not to be critical of your car or efforts to build it. I am particular, I race Spits in vintage racing and have 4.5 of them (one broke an axle and flipped 4 times) that I already own. So yes I am serious and not just wasting your time, or like some others a picture collector.

[http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/logo_small_dppi.png]<dieselperformanceparts.com>

Mark Craig
Diesel Performance Parts, Inc.
411 Allied Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
www.dieselperformanceparts.com<http://www.dieselperformanceparts.com/>

[http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_facebook.jpg]<https://www.facebook.com/DieselPerformanceParts>[http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_twitter.jpg]<https://twitter.com/PerfectDiesel> [http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_googleplus.jpg] <https://plus.google.com/u/0/104451046659790804057/posts>  [http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_linkedin.jpg] <http://www.linkedin.com/company/diesel-performance-parts-inc->

Phone: 615-834-0066
Fax: 615-834-9923
Email: mark at dieselperformanceparts.com<mailto:mark at dieselperformanceparts.com>

From: Daniel Randolph [mailto:daniel.randolph at hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2018 3:45 PM
To: DPPI - Mark Craig <info at dieselperformanceparts.com<mailto:info at dieselperformanceparts.com>>
Subject: Re: GT6 Convertible

Mark,

First some introductions. I am Daniel, Professor of Mechanical Engineering. From 1993 to 2014 I was teaching at the Universidad de las Americas Puebla ( Mexico) since 2014 to present I am teaching at Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin (Germany). Please feel free to google me to see that I am legitimate. My plan was to eventually retire in the US and I wanted to build the car I always desired and one that would last me the rest of my life. Cost was of no concern as I built it.  Now that I am getting close to retirement, reality sets in, I will stay in Germany. No place to store it there and no German drivers licence. Although I never had the intention of selling it, I will never have a use for it.

Chapter 1, Birth of the GT6 Convertible project. Having 2 months free every summer, I would come back to the states and stay with family. During this time I would keep myself busy working on the my British car projects.  It took me at least 10 summers to get my GT6 Convertible finished. Between summers, it was safely packed away in my father's garage.

I think it was in 2003 that I spotted this Green Spitfire on ebay. The person selling it had won it in a storage unit auction in California. The Spitfire had been there at least 10 years protected from the elements and completely rust and accident free. I bought it and had it shipped to Kansas City where I tried to get it going. The 1500 engine had spun the thrust washer and damaged the bearing cap so I decided not to mess with this engine and build my dream car the GT6 convertible.

Chapter 2. Doner GT6. Again on ebay I bought a  72 GT6 that had rust issues. I kept the engine, took the transmission with me to Mexico for a GT6 I had back there, removed the GT6 suspension, and cut out of the frame the mounting brackets for the Rotoflex IRS, kept the window vents and cut out the complete bonnet panel including the power bump.

The IRS mounting brackets were welded onto the Spitfire frame, new bushings and bearings were installed.   I was able to locate some of the last Metallic brand coupling which are much better than the reproduction units. The GT6 front suspension towers were mounted on the Spitfire frame, lower trunions, ball joints, tie rod end, poly bushings,new bearings, rack gator boots replaced, koni shocks completed the suspension.

Chapter 3. 2.5L Engine. The engine was bored out 0.020, with TR6 pistons. I bought a TR6 crankshaft, it was ground -0.020, rods had new end bushings, new oil pump, crankshaft reground to std. profile,new set of lifters,  head reworked- new unleaded exhaust seats and valves, new unleaded valve guides, new timing chain and sprockets, new rocker arms and shaft, new water pump, fuel pump, and alternator. Modern High torque starter.

Front pulley machined with teeth for timing sensor, mag pickup mounted on timing cover. Distributor removed and replaced with Megajolt system. The GT6 oil pan was reused after heating the crankshaft interference area and peening it out a bit - the engine sits in the correct GT6 position.

Radiator reconstructed to heavy duty specs ( 3 row core )

New GT6 stainless steel exhaust system, I had to cut 2 corners off the muffler to make it fit under the later style frame

Chapter 4. Custom Heavy Duty Transmission.  The standard GT6 transmission is a weak point so I had a custom heavy duty J type overdrive built by Canley Classics of England, It is built with Triumph Dolomite internals. I had two made and shipped to the states ( I sold the unused unit last year alone for $1800 taking a loss on the transportation and Broker fees ). Feel free to write Dave at Canley if you have any questions about the setup.

New clutch, through out bearing, rebuilt hydraulics with silicone liquid.

Chapter 5. Body. The body was stripped down to bare metal ( this was still the original paint ) no rust nor damage found. Top panel was cut out of the Spitfire, complete GT6 top panel with power bump was welded at the factory joints onto the rust free Spitfire lower section. Original factory fit tolerances are maintained. Repainted to the original Java Green color. Gas struts were added for opening the bonnet- this is a great improvement.

GT6 vent windows, window glass, operating mechanism placed in the Spitfire doors. New window U channel felts, inner and outer window seals.New door seals. Door handles were originally black, replaced with new chrome units.

New rubber surround for vent windows. New rubber side markers surrounds. New windshield and rubber

Re-chromed front and rear bumpers.

New tail light assemblies ( chrome and lenses ), New front turn light assemblies.

Chapter 6, Interior. I ordered in some Connely Leather hides from England, bought new seat foams, molded carpet, Mohair top ( a type of fabric not plastic ). Hides were used to recover the seats, Parking brake console,  and to cover the door panels. Door panels were fashioned after a TR4 style with map pockets. These were mounted on thin PVC panels, not the cardboard that warps when wet. Dash board was left in original conditions with the factory racing plates intact.

New glove boxes, new visors,

Chapter 7. Brakes. I ordered a vented conversion kit from Canley Classics, this included the disks, rebuilt calipers with widening spacers included, plus the Green Stuff pads.

All brake lines were renewed. Master cylinder was re-sleeved, silicon brake fluid used. Rear brakes standard GT6, rebuilt cylinders, new brake shoes. Braided stainless steel brake hoses were installed.

End note: I got a clear California title in 2004 which is the current status. I never got licence plates for it so it has only been driven around my father's community where I can get away with it. Bottom line, I have probably driven it 200 miles since I got it finished 5 summers ago. You can be assured you will not find a better example of a GT6 Convertible out there. Also if you are interested, I will through in my Triumph spares, Spitfire intake/exhaust manifolds, carburetor, window glass, spare door, door hardware, set of rear rubber bumper overrides, spitfire front suspension, lot of smaller parts.

Regards,

Dan

Dan,

Is yours the Green one??

If so I need more detailed pics, you look to have done a really good job, but pics even LOTS of them are deceiving. No slam on you or the car but your opinion of perfect and mine and or anyone else's is always different. I say in a pic you sent me you have a hardtop, the ad didn't mention it is it included? Dash for example looks to be new wood but I can't really see the quality of it etc.

I am still interested, although KS is a LONG way away!! I mean I want it but too much is unknown about it.

I sent you a message last night about the 2.5L engine and having to raise the ride height of the car to keep enough oil pan clearance, did you get it.  I was also wanting to know if you used a Spit frame and then welded the GT6 rear suspension mounts and stuff to the Spit frame. As far as the front suspension did you use GT6 bolt on frame spring uprights/towers and GT6 complete spindles and such or Spit stuff?? Are the rear brakes GT6 drums or Spit drums??

Send me a novel about it and any and all pics you got during the resto and after it is completed. I need more intel.

[http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/logo_small_dppi.png]<dieselperformanceparts.com>

Mark Craig
Diesel Performance Parts, Inc.
411 Allied Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
www.dieselperformanceparts.com<http://www.dieselperformanceparts.com/>

[http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_facebook.jpg]<https://www.facebook.com/DieselPerformanceParts> [http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_twitter.jpg] <https://twitter.com/PerfectDiesel>  [http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_googleplus.jpg] <https://plus.google.com/u/0/104451046659790804057/posts>  [http://dieselperformanceparts.com/media/mail/icon_social_linkedin.jpg] <http://www.linkedin.com/company/diesel-performance-parts-inc->

Phone: 615-834-0066
Fax: 615-834-9923
Email: mark at dieselperformanceparts.com<mailto:mark at dieselperformanceparts.com>

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